Monte Cassino 1944: The Tank Assault Filmed by the Germans (No AI WW2 Documentary)

On 15th of February 1944, Allied bombers reduced the 1,500-year-old abbey of Monte Cassino to ruins, one of the most controversial decisions of the Second World War. This documentary examines the Battle of Monte Cassino from both sides, pairing Allied newsreels with rarely seen footage shot by German combat cameramen during the fighting. Using wartime aerial photography laid over modern satellite imagery, the film shows why the Gustav Line made central Italy so formidable and why the road to Rome through the Liri Valley depended on taking the heights above Cassino. It follows the costly river crossings of January 1944, including the US 36th Texas Division’s assault on the Rapido and the French Colonial troops who came close to outflanking the entire position at Belvedere. It then turns to the bombing of the abbey, the street fighting in Cassino town against German paratroopers, the 4th Indian Division’s ordeal on Snakeshead Ridge, and the New Zealand tank assault up Cavendish Road toward Albaneta Farm, an action German newsreel cameras recorded as it unfolded. Along the way, the story connects Cassino to the stalemate at Anzio and builds toward Operation Diadem, the fourth battle, in which Polish, French, British, Canadian and American forces converged on the massif. Fought over four months in mountains, rivers and rubble, Monte Cassino eventually drew in two entire Allied armies and soldiers from across the world. The destruction of the abbey is still debated today, and the battle remains central to how the Italian Campaign and its human cost are remembered. Our book INFERNO: https://battleguide.co.uk/inferno Our history podcasts: Not So Quiet On The Western Front! with Dr. Spencer Jones and Dan Hill YouTube:    / @nsqpod   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/64bg6Bv... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... WW2: Both Sides of the Wire with Prof. Matthias Strohn and Jesse Alexander YouTube:    / @bsowpod   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6U3jssj... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast... The Untitled History Podcast with Gareth Edwards YouTube:    / @untitledhistorypod   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pVhf1z... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Reichs & Republics with Katja Hoyer and Dr. Christopher Dillon YouTube:    / @reichsandrepublicspod   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0UpM8Al... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Creating these videos is a lot of work, and it would not be possible without your support. If you like our work, you can help us with a regular or one time payment: • Support us via Patreon at:   / battleguide   • One Time Support: https://battleguide.co.uk/support Newsletter: If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what the team at Battle Guide have been getting up to, why not sign up to our monthly newsletter: ⁠https://battleguide.co.uk/newsletter Links: • Podcast: https://battleguide.co.uk/podcast • Patreon:   / battleguide   • Facebook:   / battleguidevirtualtours   • TikTok:   / battleguide   • Instagram:   / battle.guide   General Sources: • US National Archives (NARA) • Google Earth Pro & Web Versions • Maptiler Pro (Desktop Version) Credits: • Research & Script: Dan Hill • Narration: Dan Hill • Editing: Shane Greer • Thumbnail Design & Production: Linus Klassen • Music & Sound Effects: Shane Greer • Dubbing: Lydie Moreno, Ingrid Delfolie & Julius Houben